Barty kept his head high as he walked out of the hospital wing. He tried to steer his thoughts away from the time-travelling girl, but every time he tried, a flash of pale blonde hair and a soft voice would enter his mind, and he would once again find himself thinking about the beautiful girl.

When he first found her at the entrance hall, he was memorised. He'd stood still and just watched her for a moment. He analysed her movements as she glanced around in confusion. He saw her examining the walls and floors like something was wrong, and Barty had actually found himself concerned.

Stupid really, he thought to himself as he walked past the potion classroom. Barty suppressed the urge to bite his lip when he thought of her teary eyes and panicked breaths. The way her chest heaved and how she tried to push herself away from him.

I wonder—

"Barty."

Barty looked up and straight at Severus Snape. The man was an enigma with his hatred of muggles, but his love for that muggleborn witch. Barty still wasn't sure why they were friends, but he was glad they were. Not many people wanted to be his friend with who his father was.

"Severus," Barty said, keeping his voice calm and collected. He refused to let anyone—even his best friend—know what happened tonight.

"You've been gone for a long time," Severus said with his usual sneer.

Barty didn't acknowledge his friend's unasked question. "I'm going to bed," he said, brushing past Severus. "I suggest you do the same."

They both knew it wasn't a suggestion, but Barty didn't wait for a response. He disappeared up the stairs and into his dorm room. As a prefect he had his own room and today he couldn't have been happier about that. The moment the door closed behind him, Barty sank to the floor and let his cool mask dissolve.

Time travel, he thought in complete disbelief. She's a time traveller. Barty closed his eyes and thought about all the possibilities. If they could figure out how she travelled then they could use that knowledge to make stronger time turners. They could create a device to change the world into something wonderful.

Barty froze. Maybe she was here to change something. Maybe something went horribly wrong in the future and she was here to fix it. No, Barty dismissed almost straight away. No, she was just as surprised as the Headmaster and myself. Barty closed his eyes and leaned his head back until it hit the door with a soft thud.

I wonder what I'm like in the future. Barty was surprised by the thought, but he couldn't deny that he was curious. I'll just have to ask. Barty pushed himself off the floor and started getting ready for bed. Tomorrow, he thought. I'll just have to find a way to meet with her.

The Great Hall was packed with people by the time Barty reached the room. The Gryffindor table was the one with the least amount of people, but that was no surprise. What was a surprise was the fact that he was only just arriving. Barty prided himself on being one of the first students to arrive for breakfast, even on weekends. Not that today is a weekend, Barty thought in disgust when realised how little time he had to eat before his first class.

Barty had just sat down and poured himself a coffee when the Headmaster stood and tapped his glass of pumpkin juice with a small spoon. The sound echoed around the hall, and the student's conversation slowly tampered off until the only sound was a few confused whispers and some shuffling feet.

"Thank you for your attention," the Headmaster said with a smile. "I know some of you are still waking, and others are ready to start your class, but if you could just listen to me for one moment I'll let you be on your way."

Barty stared at the Headmaster with blank eyes. Some of the Slytherins were looking around to see if anyone else knew what was going on, and others were sneering at the table. Barty wondered what the Headmaster was planning to announce that couldn't wait until dinner when the announcements usually took place.

"I would like to introduce you to a new exchange student, the first ever in Hogwarts history."

Student's started to whisper, and look around again. The noise volume rose, but Barty didn't take notice. He jerked in his seat and his eyes widened. Surely he's not talking about Luna. Barty noticed Severus sending him an odd look, but Barty ignored him and concentrated on the Headmaster completely.

"Luna London will be joining the six year students in their classes for the rest of the year. She has been sorted into Ravenclaw." The Headmaster waved his hand towards the back of the Great Hall, and as one, the students looked in that direction. Standing in front of the doors was the time-travelling girl from last night.

Barty worked hard to keep his face blank, but he couldn't prevent the widening of his eyes and the twitch in his lips when they wanted to fall open. Luna was looking stunning with her hair brushed and pulled to one side. Her head was slightly tilted to the right, and she was wearing a small, soft smile.

"I have requested that Barty Crouch Jr. Guide her around the school and he has graciously agreed. Thank you for your time."

Barty twitched in his seat and glared at the Headmaster. He'd done no such thing.

"Hello, Barty."

Barty turned around and faced the girl from last night. "Luna," he said with his usual sneer. She didn't seem deterred and smiled at him.

"This is for you," she said. "I'll see you after breakfast." Luna handed him a small envelope and then skipped towards the Ravenclaw table.

"Interesting girl," Severus said from next to him.

Barty looked to the envelope and then back to the Ravenclaw table. He couldn't help a small tilt to his lips as he smiled. "Yeah, she is."

(w.c 1,027)

WolfWinks -xx-